Bathing appliance



July 17, 1956 c. D. SWARTOUT BATHING APPLIANCE Filed Feb. 19, 1954 tun.

United States Patent Office Patented July 17, 1956 BATHING APPLTANCE Clotilde D. Swartout, North Muskegon, Mich.

Application February 19, 1954, Serial No. 411,388

4 Claims. (Cl. 15-422) The present invention relates generally to appliances for use in bathing. More particularly the invention relates to that type of appliance'which is designed primarily to bathe or wash the human body and comprises a pad-like member of terry cloth or like flexible water absorbent material and in addition a pair .of flexible handle-forming elements which are connected to opposed marginal portions of the member and are adapted when grasped by the user of the appliance and shifted back and forth in-proximity to the users body to cause the member to reciprocate over, and eifect washing of, different surfaces or portions of the users'body.

One object of the invention is to providea bathing appliance which is an improvement upon, and has certain inherent advantages over, previously'designed devices and is characterized by high efficiency, simplicity of design and low'cost of manufacture.

Another object of the invention is toprovide-a bathing appliance of the type under consideration in which the pad-like member is rectangular and the flexible handleforming elements are in the form 'of functionally continuous or endless cords and-have certainportions thereof so connected to the opposed marginal portions of the member that, when they are grasped and pulled away from one another, they cause themember automatically and laterally to collapse into an elongated plaited structure, the plaits of which are symmetrical and the folds of which form effective and efficient scrubbing and massaging means in connection with use of the appliance.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide .a bathing appliance of the type and character last mentioned in which the opposed marginal portions of the body-like member are each provided with alongitudinal series of spaced-apart eyelets and the functionally continuous or endless cords constituting the flexible handle-forming elements are threaded through the two series of eyelets to the end that when the cords-are pulled away from one another, the member is caused automatically to collapse into the form of an elongated and symmetrical plaited structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bathing appliance which is generally of new and improved construction, effectively and efliciently fulfills its intended purposes and is capable of being manipulated with ease or facility.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present bathing appliance will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specificationor disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective showing a bathing appliance embodying the invention in its open position, i. e. before the pad-like member is collapsed into an elongated and symmetrical plaited structure by pulling apart the functionally continuous or endless cords that constitute the flexible handle-forming elements;

Figure 2 is a perspective showing the appliance after the cords have been pulled away from one another in order to collapse the pad-like member;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2 and showing in detail the construction and arrangement of the plaits after the body-like member has been collapsed; and

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken through the central portion of the collapsed body-like member and illustrating how such portion may be utilized to hold a bar or cake of soap.

The bathing appliance which is shown in the drawing constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is designed primarily to bathe or wash the human body and comprises as its components or parts, a pad-like member 5 and a pair of flexible handle-forming elements 6 and '7.

The pad-like member 5 is preferably square and is like, and has the same characteristics as, a conventional wash cloth. It is formed of terry cloth or like comparatively thick, flexible, water absorbent material and, when the appliance is not in use, assumes a flat position as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. Along one of its marginal portions the member 5 is provided with a longitudinal series of eyelets 8. Such eyelets are preferably spaced equi-distantly apart and are located a small distance inwards of the adjoining edge of the pad-like member 5. They are preferably even in number and are surrounded by buttonhole stitching 9 in order that the portions of the member 5 that define the eyelets 8 are not likely to tear. Theseries of eyelets 3 extends throughout the length of the marginal portion of the pad-like member 5 in which it is formed. The opposite marginal portion of the member 5 is provided with a longitudinal series of spaced-apart eyelets 10. The latter correspond in number to, and are in spaced but registering relation with, the eyelets'8. They are spaced equi-distantly apart and are surrounded by buttonhole stitching 11 which serves the same purpose as the buttonhole stitching 9 around the eyelets 8. As shown in Figure l, the eyelets 10 are 7 spaced from the adjoining edge of the member 5, the

same distance as the eyelets 8 are spaced from their adjoining edge of the pad-like member 5.

The flexible handle-forming element 6 of the bathing applianceis in the form of a comparatively thick cotton cord, the latter being designated in the drawing by the reference numeral 12. The cord 12 is several times longer than the series of eyelets 3 and has the ends thereof tied together in order that for all intents and purposes it is functionally continuous or endless. A portion of the cord 12 is threaded through the eyelets 8 as shown in Figure 1. When the cord is pulled outwards, i. e. away from the pad-like member 5, it causes the-adjacent portion of the member laterally to collapse as-shown in Figure 3.

The flexible handle-forming element 7 is positioned in opposed relation withthe element 6 and is'in the form of acomparatively thick cotton cord 13. The latter has its ends tied together and hence, it is functionally continuous or endless. The length of the cord 13 is the same as the length of the cord 12. What may be termed the inner portion of the cord 13 is threaded through theeyelets 10 in the same manner as the cord 12 is threaded through the eyelets 8. As a result of this, the cords 12 and 13 when pulled apart as shown in Figure 2'cause the pad-like member 5 automatically and laterally to collapse into an elongated 'plaited structure, the plaits of which are truly symmetrical and the U-shaped folds of which form eifective scrubbing and massaging means during use of the appliance.

In connection with use of the appliance, the cords 12 and 13 constituting the flexible handle-forming elements 6 and 7 are grasped by the user and pulled away from one another. Such movement on the part of the cords results in the pad-like member being collapsed into an elongated and symmetrical plaited structure. When the member 5 is in its plaited position, it may be reciprocated over different surfaces or portions of the body of the user of the appliance by shifting the cords 6 and 7, While in a taut condition, back and forth in the same manner as a conventional bath towel. If it is desired to use soap in connection with use of the appliance, a bar or cake of soap can be inserted between the central portions of the innermost plaits of the plaited structure as shown in Figure 4 of the drawing. After the soap is introduced in place and the cords 12 and 13 are pulled apart, the central portions of the innermost plaits are automatically brought into encompassing relation with the bar of soap to the end that the soap is securely held in place while the appliance is being used. Instead of a bar of soap, soap in flake or powered form may be confined within the central portions of the innermost plaits. After use of the appliance, release of tension on the cords 12 and 13 permits the user to expand the pad-like member 5 into a position wherein it is flat. This releases the bar or cake of soap so that it may be removed from the member 5. When the appliance is not in use, the free portion of either one of the cords may be used to suspend the appliance from a hook.

The herein described bathing appliance is essentially simple in design and hence is capable of being manufactured or produced at a low cost. It effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose and possesses a high degree of massaging or rubbing action due to the fact that when the cords 12 and 13 are pulled away from one another, the member 5 is caused, as previously pointed out, to collapse into an elongated and symmetrical plaited structure.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within provided along only two opposed marginal portions thereof with full length eyelet arrangements, and a pair of separate handle-forming cotton cords each of which has its ends connected together, said cords being disposed for the most part outwards of said two opposed marginal portions of the pad-like member and having the inner portions thereof threaded through the eyelet arrangements, respectively, in order that when the cords are pulled away from one another, as a preliminary to use of the appliance, the member is caused automatically and laterally to collapse into an elongated plaited structure the plaits of which are symmetrical and the folds of which are normally in abutting relation and form means for scrubbing and massaging the human body when the memher is reciprocated over different parts of the body by manually maintaining the cords taut and at the same time moving them conjointly back and forth.

3. As a new article of manufacture, an appliance designed primarily for use in bathing or washing the human body and comprising a rectangular pad-like member formed of flexible water absorbent material, adapted when the appliance is not in use to assume a substantially flat open position, and provided along only two opposed marginal portions thereof with full length series of spaced apart eyelets, and a pair of flexible functionally continuous handle-forming cords disposed for the most part outwards of said two opposed marginal portions of the pad-like member and having the inner portions thereof threaded through the series of eyelets, respectively, in order that when the cords are pulled away from one another, as a preliminary to use of the appliance, the member is caused automatically and laterally to collapse into an elongated plaited structure the plaits of which are truly symmetrical and the folds of which are normally conjointly back and forth.

the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, an appliance designed primarily for use in bathing or washing the human ginal portions thereof with full length eyelet arrangements, and a pair of flexible functionally continuous handle-forming cords formed separately from one another and the member, disposed for the most part outwards of said two opposed marginal portions of the pad-like member and having the miner portions thereof threaded through the eyelet arrangements, respectively, in order that when the cords are pulled away from one another, as a preliminary to use of the appliance, the member is caused automatically and laterally to collapse into an elongated plaited structure the plaits of which are symmetrical and the folds of which are normally in abutting relation and form means for scrubbing and massaging the human body when the member is reciprocated over different parts of the body by manually maintaining the cords taut and at the same time moving them conjointly back and forth.

2. As a new article of manufacture, an appliance designed primarily for use in bathing or Washing the human body and comprising a substantially square pad-like member formed of terry cloth, adapted when the appliance is not in use to assume a substantially flat open position and 4. As a new article of manufacture, an appliance designed primarily for use in bathing or washing the human body and comprising a substantially square pad-like member formed of terry cloth, adapted When the appliance is not in use to assume a substantially fiat open position, and provided along only two opposed marginal portions thereof with full length registering series of equi-distantly spacedv eyelets, and a pair of separate handle-forming cotton cords each of which has its ends connected together, said cords being disposed for the most part outwards of said two opposed marginal portions of the padlike member and having the inner portions thereof threaded through the series of eyelets, respectively, in order that when the cords are pulled away from one another, as a preliminary to use of the appliance, the member is caused automatically and laterally to collapse into an elongated plaited structure the plaits of which are truly symmetrical and the folds of which are normally in abutting relation and form means for scrubbing and massaging the human body when the member is reciprocated over different parts of the human body by manually maintaining the cords taut and at the same time moving them conjointly back and forth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 269,247 Waters Dec. 19, 1882 813,339 Wolff Feb. 20, 1906 2,439,249 Hickman Apr. 6, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 202,213 Switzerland Apr. 1, 1939 564,904 Germany Nov. 24, 1932 564,905 Germany Nov. 24, 1932 

